One of the most elusive species that roams the waters of Xcalax is the Permit, also known as Palometa. These elusive fish are known for their unique look. They are tall and flat for a fish and are defined by their elongated anal and dorsal fins. In contrast to the dark color of their fins, their main body is silver, and their bellies can have a hint of yellow or green in certain conditions. They look almost otherworldly, as if they belong on an alien planet due to their flat but tall form. The elusiveness and the uniqueness of their appearance are great reasons they are such a great fish to go after with a fly rod. In addition to their unique appearance, Permits are known for their strength and speed, making them a challenging and exciting catch for any angler.
Fishing the Flats
Permit forage the sandy shallow flats and channels of Xcalak for various food sources, such as crustaceans and other smaller fish. Due to these food sources living in the shallow water, Permit have grown particularly good at seeing and sensing trouble out of there. That sense of danger and the speed at which they can adjust make them challenging fish to catch. Sight fishing, where anglers spot fish in the water and cast to them, is the best way to get up on them on the flats. Working with your guide to do this is critical. When your guide tells you to cast, you must be ready to make a capable cast. You have to be able to get your fly where the fish will see it. So before you board the plane down to warmer waters, we recommend you practice your cast to present the fly where it needs to go. You also got to learn how to get your line where it needs to go fast. Permits move, and they move fast, so you need to be ready to cast quickly. You might be unable to do a series of false casts like you would with other species. We recommend bringing two 9-10 wt fly rods and equivalent fly reels, one with an intermediate sink tip and one with a floating line. Those setups will help you when going after this elusive fish.
Filling your Fly Box
All the casting practice in the world will only help if you know what type of flies to put on the end of your lines. We recommend these flies to help you be successful in Xcalax’s tropical waters:
- Mantis Shrimp Patterns
- Becks Fleeing Crabs
- Ragheads
- Strong Arm Merkin
- Alphlexos
- Avalon
The Flats are Calling
Now that you know what gear you need and what techniques you need to practice to be successful, it’s time to head to warmer waters to take a crack at hooking a Permit. With Xcalax’s unique waters that the world’s second Barrier Reef protects, there are plenty of flats where we can target Permits. These flats provide the perfect environment for Permit, with their shallow, sandy bottoms and abundant food sources. There are also plenty of areas where the water is a little deeper. Sometimes, the Permit group up, and you can see sizable schools getting you all the more opportunities. Reach out to us if you want to start planning a trip to see if you can catch the elusive Permit.
